Animal welfare groups around the world celebrated in November 2014 when one of the infamously cruel abattoirs, Karantina, was closed down in Beirut. It closed due to fierce international pressure.

So, with Beirut not highly regarded for good welfare in slaughter, why would Mr Joyce ever choose to open up an export trade with Lebanon?

In addition, much of Lebanon is in a state of readiness for war, should the situation in Syria escalate....and we already know from Gaza that Australian animals have no protection in Middle East war zones ....in fact export to Gaza has been suspended for that reason.